Sound Chasers

It's not uncommon for keyboardist Dal Carver to ask bassist Jeff Addicott or guitarist Brent Norton during a gig, "What the heck should we play next?"

Teresa Thomas

It's not uncommon for keyboardist Dal Carver to ask bassist Jeff Addicott or guitarist Brent Norton during a gig, "What the heck should we play next?"

The Wild Goose Chase Trio isn't unprepared. It's spontaneous.

The trio played its first gig March 17, 1999, at the grand opening of The Wild Goose Cafe and Bar, and continued to play there weekly as the cafe's house band. Now — 14 years later — the trio still is together and plays The Goose every other month.

"We love playing with each other, that's it," Carver says. "We get along well personally and musically."

The trio, which is sometimes accompanied by percussionist Michael Whipple, will perform at 8 p.m. Thursday, May 16, at The Goose, 2365 Ashland St., Ashland.

"It's a strange mix, but each of us likes a strange combination of music. We're all jazz musicians, but we all like playing country music as well."

This very laid-back and versatile trio creates its sets on the spot. Look for songs by the Grateful Dead, Miles Davis, Merle Haggard, Keith Jarrett, Boz Scaggs, Jimmy Buffett, Taj Mahal and others. Occasionally, the trio also plays originals by Norton and Addicott.

"If you don't like one song, you might like the next," Carver says.

"Every single song we play, we learned on the bandstand. Our motto is, 'We never practice behind your back.' "

Each of the members plays with multiple local projects and possesses a large catalog of music. Carver plays with Jef Fretwell and The Detractors, Detlef Eismann, The Sultans and The Blue Notes, and sits in with anyone that asks.

There is never a cover charge at The Goose. For more information, call 541-488-4103.